Poet's lands Oh So Sharp

Poet's Vanity took a significant step up in class in her stride to land the visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

A promising fourth on her July Course debut during the summer, Andrew Balding's filly built on that effort in some style when she cruised clear at Salisbury last month.

Poet's Vanity was a 13-2 chance as she tested the water at Group Three level and after tracking the pacesetting Asidious Alexander, she took over the running heading inside the final two furlongs.

Glitter Girl soon emerged as the biggest threat, but Poet's Vanity never looked in danger of being caught and passed the post a length to the good under Oisin Murphy.

Unforgetable Filly was best of the rest in third, with French challenger and 3-1 favourite Double Lady only fifth after she failed to pick up sufficiently from the rear.

Murphy said: "It's only her third run of her life so it's very encouraging. She maybe didn't handle the dip particularly well but she's still learning."

Balding hopes Poet's Vanity can develop into a realistic contender for next year's 1000 Guineas.

He said: "She's got a lot of physical scope, so she's really one to look forward to next year.

"She showed she handles the track, so it's exciting to think she might come back here in May.

"It looked like she was doing all her best work at the finish, which is really encouraging.

"As long as she winters well and is working well in the spring, I don't see why we wouldn't (target the 1000 Guineas).

"I had to work her with a colt last week as she was demoralising the other fillies.

"We've got some nice two-year-olds going into next year and hopefully they'll bring each other on. It's nice that the horses are still running well at this time of the year."

Runner-up Glitter Girl carries the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, whose managing director Chris Richardson said: "She's just kept improving and is as game as a pebble.

"Ryan Moore gave her a great ride on the pace and I just wonder if she failed to quite get home. We might drop her back to a stiff six (furlongs) or keep her to a very easy seven."

Unforgetable Filly's trainer Hugo Palmer said: "She ran a great race and she should never have been favourite in her last race here.

"I'm delighted and it's all about next year for her. We'll take in a Guineas trial and hopefully go for the 1000 Guineas, if we get through the winter in one piece."